Year 10 and 11 students from Teignmouth Community School visited Malaga, Spain, for a week just before February half term.
Students arrived to the characteristically sunny and warm south of Spain, and enjoyed a few lovely days before the rain found them and reminded them of winter in the UK!
Students started the week by meeting their penpals and students from IES Bezmiliana, Rincón de la Victoria, where Mrs Dart had previously worked. It was great to see them practise their Spanish and strike up friendships which we hope will stand the test of time.
Every morning students had two hours of Spanish classes at Academia Inma, where they learnt essential vocabulary to be able to survive in everyday situations in Spain, as well as practise the skills needed for the speaking part of the GCSE exam. After classes, students were able to use their language skills in real-life situations, such as buying tickets, going to the market, and ordering at a restaurant. Another activity was a ‘selfie trail’ where students were given clues in Spanish and had to work out what the clue meant, and then find that place around the city centre, asking people in the street for directions and help with the clues. Year 10 was pitted against Year 11 and, although both teams arrived at the last clue at the same time, there is still some dispute over which team won as there had been an international interpretation of the rules.
Cultural visits included the historic centre, the Alcazaba fortress, a coastal walk, a visit to the Centre Pompidou, the Museo de Málaga and the Roman theatre. Due to the inclement weather, the group sought refuge some of the many museums in Malaga, recently crowned a European City of Culture, and students were able to appreciate all the different artefacts and paintings. The trip also included several shopping trips, with Ale-Hop featuring highly!
The day trip to Nerja was arguably the highlight of the trip. The short coach journey from the hotel took students past the Acueducto del Agila and the beaches around Nerja, before arriving at the Caves. Students were given a guided tour around the Caves in Spanish (with a bit of help from Mrs Dart) and learnt about the formations in the caves and the different chambers that have been discovered. Students were saddened to see the effects produced by human activity in the cave, but which are inevitable if people are to visit this wonderful site. Students were also given some time to explore the nearby town of Frigiliana, known for its ceramics and mosaic streets.
Later, in Nerja town, students were able to practise their Spanish at lunch and enjoy the view from the windy Balcón de Europa.
Throughout the week students got to try typical Spanish dishes, including fried fish, croquetas, paella, and natillas (Spanish custard). They were also treated to a ‘campero’ – a large round sandwich bigger than their hand, which is typical from Malaga. Everyone tried something new and it was lovely to see so many of them enjoying it. Naturally students also had authentic churros con chocolate, which was a welcome sight after quite a soggy day of sightseeing.
Students have come home feeling inspired, wanting to speak Spanish more, and feeling more confident using the language. It was a great experience for all concerned, and teachers were impressed by their very mature attitude and willingness to try new things. ¡Hasta la próxima!
